The Mentoring Pilot Program is a collaborative initiative of The United Church of Canada and the Leadership Centre of Presbyterian College/Montreal School of Theology. Launched in the fall of 2025, the pilot is designed to support newly ordained, commissioned, and recognized ministers during their first years of ministry.

Ministry can be both deeply rewarding and uniquely challenging. Through group mentoring, participants are invited into a supportive community where they can reflect on their experiences, learn alongside peers, and gain encouragement from experienced ministry leaders.

The pilot currently brings together ministers from across Canada in small mentoring cohorts. Each cohort is facilitated by a trained mentor and provides space for conversation, mutual support, professional growth, and shared learning.

Why Group Mentoring?

The Mentoring Pilot draws on the extensive experience of the Leadership Centre of Presbyterian College, which has been offering group mentoring programs for more than a decade. The group model helps to foster meaningful relationships, reduce isolation, and create opportunities for peer learning and accompaniment in ministry.

To learn more about the Leadership Centre's mentoring approach, visit the Presbyterian College Leadership Centre Mentoring Program.

CHURCHx: Our Online Learning and Community Space

CHURCHx serves as the digital home for the Mentoring Pilot. Participants and mentors can use the platform to access resources, connect with one another, and participate in program activities.

On the course page, participants will find:

• Resources and tools to support mentoring conversations and ministry leadership
• Dedicated community spaces for cohort discussions and peer connection
• Information and materials for mentor and mentee orientation
• A Mentor Community of Practice where mentors can share insights and learn together
• Virtual meeting spaces for mentoring gatherings, training sessions, and community calls
• Optional learning opportunities and leadership development resources

CHURCHx provides a central place where participants can continue conversations between meetings, share resources, and stay connected with colleagues across the country.

Building a Culture of Accompaniment

At its heart, the Mentoring Pilot is about accompaniment. It is an opportunity for ministers to deepen their practice, strengthen relationships with colleagues, and discover the wisdom that emerges when people learn together in a supportive community.

As the program continues through June 2027, the pilot will help shape future approaches to mentoring and leadership development within The United Church of Canada.